System and method for conveying personal information through cellular text messaging services

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a system and method for sending a cellular text message to a system server through a data network, including an identification of a requested database record and a forward address. The system server then performs a database lookup or related search and sends an enhanced message or a file to the forward address, which could be a cellular phone, e-mail address, server, computer, mobile device, or any hardware or device associated with the intended recipient that is communicatively coupled to the system server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application claims priority from U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/878,021 filed on Dec. 29,2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of messaging, and moreparticularly to the use of the cellular communication text messagingservices and a database to efficiently convey predefined information orfiles from a sender to a recipient in a unique and easy to read format.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of cellular text messaging services (CTMS), such as the ShortMessage Service (SMS) available for GSM, for various purposes is known.Typically, one of two scenarios is employed. In a first scenario, amessage is defined by the sender and communicated to the recipient, asthe entire communication. In a second scenario, the sender sends a codeto the recipient, which then responds with corresponding information tothe sender. Thus, a typical CTMS communication involves only twoparties, though multiple recipients of a message or broadcast werecontemplated.

SMS was originally designed as part of GSM, but is now available on awide range of networks, including 3G networks. However, not all textmessaging systems use SMS, and some notable alternate implementations ofthe concept include J-Phone's SkyMail and NTT Docomo's Short Mail, bothin Japan. E-mail messaging from phones, as popularized by NTT Docomo'si-mode and the RIM BlackBerry, also typically use standard mailprotocols such as SMTP over TCP/IP.

Transmission of the short messages between SMSC and phone can be donethrough different protocols such as SS7 within the standard GSM MAPframework or TCP/IP within the same standard. Messages are sent with theadditional MAP operation forward_short_message, whose payload length islimited by the constraints of the signaling protocol to a maximum of 140bytes (140 bytes=140*8 bits=1120 bits). In practice, this translates toeither 160 7-bit characters, 140 8-bit characters, or 70 16-bitcharacters. Routing data and other metadata is additional to the payloadsize.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) is a network element in the mobiletelephone network which delivers SMS messages. When a user sends a textmessage (SMS message) to another user, the phone actually sends themessage to the SMSC. The SMSC stores the message and then delivers it tothe destination user when they are available. This is a store andforward operation. The SMSC usually has a configurable time limit forhow long it will store the message, and users can usually specify ashorter time limit if they want. For bulk transmission and reception ofSMS messages, SMSCs have conventional, fixed, network interfaces as wellas mobile network interfaces. A number of protocols have been defined tosupport this sort of wire-line access:

SMPP (Short message peer-to-peer) The most common protocol and the onlynon-proprietary one in wide use.

EMI/UCP (External Machine Interface/Universal Computer Protocol). Aproprietary protocol by market leader LogicaCMG.

CIMD (Computer Interface to Message Distribution). A proprietaryprotocol developed by Nokia for its Artuse SMSC.

OIS (Open Interface Specification). Despite the name, a proprietaryprotocol developed by Sema Group (now Airwide Solutions).

Larger content (known as long SMS or concatenated SMS) can be sentsegmented over multiple messages, in which case each message will startwith a user data header (UDH) containing segmentation information. SinceUDH is inside the payload, the number of characters per segment islower: 153 for 7-bit encoding, 134 for 8-bit encoding and 67 for 16-bitencoding. The receiving phone is then responsible for reassembling themessage and presenting it to the user as one long message. While thestandard theoretically permits up to 255 segments, 6 to 8 segmentmessages are the practical maximum, and long messages are billed asequivalent to multiple SMS messages.

Short messages can also be used to send binary content such as ringtonesor logos, as well as OTA programming or configuration data. Such usesare a vendor-specific extension of the GSM specification and there aremultiple competing standards, although Nokia's Smart Messaging is by farthe most common.

SMS is also used for machine to machine communication. For instance,there is an LED display machine controlled by SMS, and some vehicletracking companies like ESITrack use SMS for their data transport ortelemetry needs.

SMS is widely used for delivering premium content such as news alerts,financial information, logos and ring tones. Such messages are alsoknown as premium-rated short messages (PSMS). The subscribers arecharged extra for receiving this premium content, and the amount istypically divided between the mobile network operator and the contentprovider (VASP) either through revenue share or a fixed transport fee.

Premium short messages are also increasingly being used for “real-world”services. For example, some vending machines now allow payment bysending a premium-rated short message, so that the cost of the itembought is added to the user's phone bill or subtracted from the user'sprepaid credits.

A new type of “free premium” or “hybrid premium” content has emergedwith the launch of text-service websites. These sites allow registeredusers to receive free text messages when items they are interested go onsale, or when new items are introduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for sending a textmessage through a data network, to a server, including an identificationof a database record and a forward address. The server then performs adatabase lookup and sends an enhanced message, such as contactinformation in the form of a customized mobile business card or a fileto the forward address. The system and method is compatible with varioustext messaging systems.

A preferred use for this system, and method is to convey contactinformation, such as a v-card, by simply entering the service identifierand the forward address. The identity of the sender can readily bedetermined based on the routing information of the message. Asnecessary, the sender can have a plurality of messages hosted on theserver, and may then select one or more of the messages to becommunicated to the recipient.

The message sent to the server may include, for example, login/passwordinformation, other authentication information, or commands for theserver and/or the database (e.g., to search the database based on asearch criteria provided in the message). The message received at theforward address may be fixed, or variant. For example, the message maybe dependent on recipient address (telephone number), time of day or dayof week, location of sender (e.g., language, time zone, etc.), or otherfactors.

Typically, the use of this system incurs charges for a number ofcomponents: the initial sent message, the use of the server and thesending of the forward message, and the receipt of the message. It isnoted that the system need not be implemented on a cellular phone, so,for example, the message may originate and terminate using email, wifior any portion of the system may be e-mail or wifi. Likewise, theforward address may be a multicast, for example sending the same messageto multiple cell phones and/or email accounts, or other communicationsdestinations.

The server may be a SMSC-type server, an Internet web server, or ahybrid system supporting communications using both systems, and/oradditional systems such as wifi. Preferably, the sender account is setup and administered though the Internet, and therefore the databasestructure may be defined through a web browser or email interface, thusalleviating the need to enter and administer the information through acell phone user interface, and to avoid the potential costs associatedtherewith.

The system and method supports a business method of charging users,typically the sender, for the use of the message translation (e.g.,database lookup) and forwarding service. The user may also be chargedfor storage of the data on the server.

For example, a web interface is provided for the server, which providesa user interface which supports account login, and message creation. Thepreferred interface has a “preview”, to permit a user to understand whatmessage will actually be sent, a text counter (per box) to allow theuser to stay within message payload limits, and provide multipletemplates for different intended uses. Where the text is dynamic, apoint and click programming model is preferred, although for moresophisticated users, a command line interface or script interface mayalso be supported. Such interface may be used for creation ofuser-specific commands for, e.g., database updates, etc.

The system typically is allocated a block of SMS assigned addresses(numbers), although it can use a single number, or even a subaddress ofa number.

Preferably, an intended recipient of a message will have its own accountmaintained, including all (or a portion of) the messages sent to thataddress. This log permits a user to review the messages, for example toproperly import these into a SIM card or other database, and to storeand maintain the information separate from the target device, e.g., cellphone or email browser.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system andmethod for receiving a short text message having an expresslycommunicated or implied sender and defined recipients(s), modifying themessage at a server in dependence on at least one rule, and optionallybased on a sender code, a recipient characteristic, and extrinsic data,and sending the modified message to the recipient(s).

It is also an object of the invention to provide a system and method forreceiving a short text message having an expressly communicated orimplied sender, generating a message at a server in dependence on atleast one rule, and optionally based on a sender code, a sendercharacteristic, and extrinsic data, and sending the generated messageback to the sender.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a systemand method for sending a text message to a server through a datanetwork, including an identification of a forward address, wherein, uponreceiving the text message, the server performs a database lookup orrelated search and sends an enhanced message or a file to the forwardaddress, which could be a cellular phone, server, computer, or anyhardware associated with the intended recipient.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a systemand method for sending a text message to a server through a datanetwork, including an identification of a forward address, wherein, uponreceiving the text message, the server updates its database.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a systemand method for sending a text message to a server through a datanetwork, including an identification of a forward address, to control ahousehold equipment such as lights or heating and cooling system.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide the systemand method that are compatible with various text messaging systems.

The purpose of the mobile business card/mobile signature is to providean inexpensive and convenient way to share contact information thoughthe mobile space. By using the mobile business card/mobile signature, amember no longer has to carry a traditional business card. It will alsoallow a member to have an easy and efficient way to store and sharecontacts. The member may simply send the contact data to a recipient orgive out their unique mobile ID to another to enable that mobile phoneuser to request the data themselves from the server. The information isthen sent by the server to the mobile phone user. This feature isparticularly useful when the member is at a trade show or giving apresentation to a large audience. The member need merely provide or posttheir mobile ID and anyone at the show or in the audience having aninterest in obtaining contact information can do so by contacting theserver and providing the mobile ID. Thereafter the contact informationis provided to the requester. At the same time, the server retains apermanent record of to whom the business card/mobile signature wasdistributed.

Further objects will become apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bemore fully understood by reference to the following, detaileddescription of the preferred, albeit illustrative, embodiments of thepresent invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary layout of the customized format the messagewill be received by a recipient in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart illustrating the steps for conveying contactinformation in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating the steps for conveying file(s)in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from a consideration of the following exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention.

A user interface is provided using a web server to permit a user todefine a message to be defined and/or forwarded to recipient(s), who maybe the same or different than the sender. Typical fields can include,without limitation, the following:

1) name

2) company name

3) title

4) phone

5) phone 2

6) email

7) internal address

8) street

9) city state zip

In addition, in order to efficiently use the SMS service, a charactercounter is provided to alert the user how much of a message payloadremains. Of course, a long message format (multiple short messages) mayalso be used, in which case additional information, such as a photo orlogo, may also be communicated.

Referring to the schematic drawing of FIG. 1 which illustrates oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention, an autoresponder systemis provided. First, a user sends a text message to a server/short codegateway, for example “88500,” with an identifier of the message beingrequested, e.g., the member's mobile ID. An autoreply message is thensent, including the appropriate database record corresponding to therequest which would be the member's mobile signature/mobile businesscard. As shown in FIG. 1, the message sent by the requester to theserver/short code gateway “88500” would look like “rayray”. The gateway,would respond with the pre-selected message such as that shown in FIG.3. Members can be assigned different mobile ID's and differentpre-selected messages can be associated with each ID. This feature isparticularly useful when the member directs his goods or services tomore than one field. Different messages can be sent by the memberproviding a different ID for use by a different requester who, forexample, may be in a different field.

In this scenario, the non-member user (requester) initiates the requestfor the mobile business card/mobile signature so that it is sent to therequester's phone. The requester sends the unique ID provided to them bythe member user (e.g. “rayray”) to the server/short code gateway (e.g.“88500”). Such request may be sent at any point in time. Alternatively,the ID can expire after a preset period of time.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, asshown schematically in FIG. 2, a member/user sends a text message to theserver/short code gateway, with the member's mobile ID, e.g. “rayray,”then a transfer code such as “X” followed by the cell phone number ofthe party to whom the mobile signature or mobile business card is to besent, e.g., “9143133000.” The server/short code gateway, then sends themessage corresponding to the code sent by the member to the thirdparty's cell phone number. In FIG. 2, the message sent to theserver/short code gateway “85000” by the member/user having the ID“rayray” would look like “rayrayX9143133000.” The mobile signature orbusiness card would then be sent from the server/short code gateway, tothe third party at the phone number 914-313-3000. The message receivedby such party would have the customized form shown in FIG. 3. However,as above, the fields of information can be selected from a list and canvary depending on the member's preferences.

In the above scenario the member/user initiates the transfer of theinformation from the server/short code gateway to a third party. Themember/user is thus able to send his mobile business card/mobilesignature to any active cell phone number. The message sent wouldcontain the mobile signature requested and could be sent to one or manyphone number or numbers provided by the member user, simultaneously bythe server/short code gateway.

As discussed above, by associating different information or messageswith different mobile ID's, the member or user can direct the server tosend multiple business cards to recipients in different fields.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, each cardsent to a mobile phone or requested by a mobile phone will record therecipient's or the requester's cell phone number on the member's onlinesystem. The system will also enable a member to send multiple messagesto more than one cell phone number or to only one number through theonline gateway. All requested cell phone numbers will be stored in areal time database for members to view if their system is down or ifthey are traveling. If a member sends another member a mobile businesscard, the sending member's on-line database will record a copy of thatmobile ID stored in the online system. The ID will be stored in a realtime database for members to send messages to.

All information stored on a member's online database can be exportedinto other formats including, but not limited to, a universal text in anExcel compatible format in order to work with any conventionalorganizer.

In addition, other information can be associated with the data recordsuch as a photograph of the sender. At the present time, the file sizelimitation requires that the recipient add the photograph or otherinformation to the file. However, it is anticipated that with moderncompression techniques this feature can be incorporated within thepresent invention. In such case, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a logo orphotograph can be associated with the text message in a customizedformat as shown in FIG. 3.

A number of options are available for charging for such service. Forexample, the use of the server can be based on a term pricing or flatrate term (e.g., monthly), and/or meter usage pricing (per message orblock of messages), various additional services, such as a backup andexport feature, set up charge, bulk pricing for companies, etc.,advertisement subsidized service, and the like.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention aredirected to a system and method for distributing a member's mobilesignature or mobile business card. This is accomplished electronically,instead of handing out a traditional business card, a member or arequester simply sends the mobile identification number to the service,which then sends a third party or the requester the mobilesignature/mobile business card in a useful, easy to read electronic formwhich can be further manipulated by the recipient. This will eliminatethe concern about losing the business cards or having to retype theinformation. The actual mobile business card or mobile signature willalso be readily exportable electronically into the recipient's cellphone contact database.

Additionally, the present invention may be utilized to search and sendor receive any contact information (even other than the sender's owncontact info) or file(s) stored in a server database, as shown in FIGS.4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps for conveyingcontact information (e.g., in the form of a customized mobile businesscard) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. A user of the illustrated service and system logs in to thesystem with secure user name and password (Step 401). The user's log-ininformation is checked by the system (Step 402), and if the user nameand password are incorrect or unknown to the system, the user isprompted to try again and input the correct ones (Step 403). Once theuser name and password are checked to be correct, then the user isalerted that he or she is successfully logged in to the system (Step404).

If the user knows the complete contact ID for the mobile business cardhe or she wants to request, then the contact ID (in this case “johnlim”)is entered and sent to the server via a cellular text message, such as aSMS message (Step 405). The user then receives the mobile business cardassociated with the contact ID in the exemplary customized format shownin FIG. 4 (Step 406).

On the other hand, if the user does not know the contact ID or does nothave the complete contact ID available, then the user may command theserver, via a cellular text message, to perform a search for, forexample, the full name of a person whose contact information the userdesires (Step 407). The search may be done based on just a single letter(e.g., “j”), or a first name (e.g., “john”), or any other appropriatesearch criteria provided by the user to the server. Preferably, thesearch command does not depend on any particular text messaging format,and a universal search command is used. The server then performs asearch in its database based on the user's search criteria (Step 408).

If no search result is found, then the user is alerted that his or heraddress book does not contain the contact information and prompted toprovide another name for searching (Step 409).

On the other hand, the server may come up with multiple search resultsthat match the user's search criteria (e.g., search term “john”). Theserver then sends to the user, via a cellular text message, a list ofall contacts that match the user's search criteria (Step 410). Out ofthe multiple search results, the user may select one and request theserver, via a cellular text message, to provide a mobile business cardfor the selected person (e.g., “1” associated with “John Lim MBC”) (Step411). The user then can receive and view the mobile business cardassociated with the selected search result in the exemplary customizedformat shown in FIG. 4 (Step 412). The user may further forward themobile business card associated with the selected search result to anycellular phone in the same customized format. In alternative embodimentsof the present invention, the server may forward a mobile business cardnot only to a cellular phone, but also to an e-mail address, anotherserver, a computer, mobile device, or any hardware or device associatedwith the intended recipient of the contact information that iscommunicatively coupled to the server.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating the steps for conveying file(s)(e.g., image or video files) in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. A user of the illustrated service and systemlogs in to the system with secure user name and password (Step 501). Theuser's log-in information is checked by the system (Step 502), and ifthe user name and password are incorrect or unknown to the system, theuser is prompted to try again and input the correct ones (Step 503).Once the user name and password are checked to be correct, then the useris alerted that he or she is successfully logged in to the system (Step504).

If the user knows the file name he or she wants to request, then thefile name and forward e-mail address are entered and sent to the servervia a cellular text message (Step 505). The server then forwards therequested file to the forward e-mail address via, for example, theInternet, without using the Internet on the cellular phone. Accordingly,such file forwarding in accordance with the present invention can bemade universal to any cellular phone models. The user then receives aconfirmation from the server that the requested file has beensuccessfully sent to the forward e-mail address (Step 506).

On the other hand, if the user does not know the file name, then theuser may command the server, via a cellular text message, to perform asearch for a file (Step 507). Based on a search criteria provided by theuser (e.g., “resume”), the server performs a search in its database(Step 508).

If no file is found that matches the search criteria, then the user isalerted that his or her file cabinet does not contain the file andprompted to provide another file name for searching (Step 509).

On the other hand, the server may find multiple files that match theuser's search criteria. The server then sends to the user, via acellular text message, a list of all files that match the user's searchcriteria (Step 510). Out of the multiple search results, the user mayselect a certain file(s) and request the server via a cellular textmessage to forward the selected file(s) (e.g., “2” associated with thefile “john-resume.pdf”) to an e-mail address (Step 511). The server thenforwards the requested file to the forward e-mail address via, forexample, the Internet, without using the Internet on the cellular phone.Preferably, this file forwarding is universal to any cellular phonemodels under the present invention. The server then sends a confirmationto the user in a cellular text message that the requested file has beensuccessfully sent to the forward e-mail address (Step 512). Inalternative embodiments of the present invention, the server may forwardthe file(s) not only to an e-mail address, but also to another server, acomputer, a mobile device, or any hardware or device associated with theintended recipient of the file(s) that is communicatively coupled to theserver.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present inventionhave been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited tothe specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the spirit and scope ofthe present invention is to be construed broadly.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for retrieving a database recordfrom a database, comprising: a mobile interface for receiving a databasesearch request from a cellular telephone of a requestor via a firstcellular text message; a server for searching and retrieving at leastone database record in response to the database search request; and themobile interface further for transmitting an identification of the atleast one database record to the cellular telephone of the requester viaa second cellular text message.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theat least one database record comprises contact information for aplurality of individuals.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstcellular text message comprises a short message service (SMS) message.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second cellular text messagecomprises a customized mobile business card corresponding to a singledatabase record that matches the database search request.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: the mobile interface further forreceiving a third cellular text message from the cellular telephone ofthe requestor, the third cellular text message comprising a selection ofa single database record from the at least one database record; and themobile interface further for transmitting a fourth cellular text messagecomprising the single database record in response to the third cellulartext message.